Clothing hanger with outfit organizer features

ABSTRACT

A clothing hanger that allows a user to store clothing garments and accessories, such as shirts, pants, jackets, blouses, necklaces, bracelets, ear rings, finger rings, bangles, wristbands, headbands, scrunchies, etc. in close proximity to one another, that, in combination, form an entire clothing outfit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/091,495 filed on Dec. 13, 2014, and entitled “Hanger” the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clothing hanger, and more particularly a hanger that allows for compact storage of garments and accessories in order to organize an outfit of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is a clothing hanger comprising: a central hub portion; a bar hook extending from the central hub portion, wherein the bar hook defines a support cavity oriented in a first direction; a first shoulder support member extending from the central hub portion in a second direction; a second shoulder support member extending from the central hub portion in a third direction, wherein the second and third directions are opposite one another; a jewelry display tab extending from the central hub portion opposite the bar hook, wherein the jewelry display tab comprises two perforations, wherein each perforation comprises a first diameter; two necklace hooks, wherein one necklace hook extends from the first shoulder support and another necklace hook extends from the second shoulder support, wherein each necklace hook defines a support cavity oriented in a fourth direction, wherein the first direction and fourth direction are opposite one another; and at least two hooks extending from a bottom end of the clothing hanger accessory, wherein the at least two hooks define a plane that is approximately parallel with the front face and the back face.

In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the jewelry display tab further comprises two additional perforations, wherein each additional perforation comprises a second diameter which is different than the first diameter. In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the first shoulder support member comprises an integral first storage compartment, wherein the first storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and close the first storage compartment.

In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the second shoulder support member comprises an integral second storage compartment, wherein the second storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and close the second storage compartment.

In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the hanger further comprises a crossbar connecting the first shoulder support member and the second shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the hanger further comprises a crossbar extending between distal ends of the first shoulder support member and the second shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the crossbar is detachable.

In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the first compartment is hingedly connected to the first shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the first compartment engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit.

In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the second compartment is hingedly connected to the second shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the second compartment engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the clothing of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of another embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of another embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear elevation view of another embodiment of the clothing of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The clothing hanger of the present invention is intended for use as a clothing hanger that allows a practitioner to organize an entire outfit including the clothes on the hanger. One example embodiment of the inventive clothing hanger is depicted in FIG. 1, referred to generally by reference numeral 100. As depicted therein, the clothing hanger generally comprises a central hub portion 126. Two shoulder support members 106 and 108 extend in opposite directions from the central hub 126. It is noted that by extending in “opposite directions” the shoulder support members do not necessarily need to form a 180° angle between one another along any plane. It can be beneficial for the shoulder support members to form a somewhat obtuse angle between them to more closely approximate the shape of human shoulders to more effectively store clothing garments. However, in this case, the shoulder support members would still be extending in opposite directions.

The hanger also comprises a bar hook 102 attached to the central hub 126 by the bar hook base 104. It is noted that the bar hook may be a separate piece that is attached to the central hub, or may be molded as one piece with the central hub and shoulder support members. The bar hook 102 is intended to be used to hang the hanger on a support bar in a closet, armoire, or similar clothing storage facility.

In one embodiment, the hanger of the present invention comprises a jewelry display tab extending 118 extending in a direction opposite from the bar hook 102. In a preferred embodiment, the jewelry display tab is located between the shoulder support members 106 and 108. The jewelry display tab may comprise two or more perforations or holes 120 and 122 which are adapted to hold and display at least one pair of earrings. The storage and display of one pair of earrings would require two holes. In another embodiment, the jewelry display tab comprises a first pair of holes 120 and 122, and a second pair of holes 124, wherein the diameter of the holes in the first pair of holes is larger than the diameter of the holes in the second pair of holes. In this embodiment, the jewelry display tab may be used to store and display different sizes of earrings using the differently sized holes.

The location of the jewelry display tab is important. Because it extends down from the central hub and between the two shoulder supports, any jewelry displayed on the tab will be clearly and easily visible because the neck portion of any shirt or similar garment draped over the shoulder support members will likely dip down and reveal the contents of the jewelry display tab. If a hanger were to provide jewelry mounting structures, such as the holes on the jewelry display tab, at another location on the hanger, that jewelry is more likely to be completely covered up and rendered invisible by a garment being stored on the hanger itself.

In one embodiment, the hanger of the present invention comprises a pair of necklace hooks, with each hook being located on opposite sides of the central hub. Each necklace hook defines a support cavity that is oriented in a direction opposite from the bar hook. In other words, the bar hook is oriented in a direction that allows the hanger to hang under its own weight on a support bar with the support bar inside the bar hook's support cavity, whereas the necklace hooks are oriented in a direction that allows them to support a necklace, bracelet, or other elongated, arcuate or looped piece of jewelry or fashion accessory when the necklace or similar is placed on the necklace hook's support cavity while the hanger is hanging under its own weight on a support bar. In another embodiment, each necklace hook extends in the same direction as the jewelry display tab. In another embodiment, each necklace hook extends outward from the front face of the clothing hanger. The location of the necklace hooks is also important because any accessories mounted on them should also be visible when a clothing garment is draped on the shoulder supports of the hanger.

In another embodiment, at least one of the shoulder supports comprises an integral storage compartment 132 and 134. An integral storage compartment is a storage compartment that is formed as a part of the shoulder support—not a separate structure that is attached or affixed to the shoulder support. In one embodiment, each storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall 150, an opening, and a cover or lid which is selectively operable to cover the opening. The lid engages with a lip that defines the opening of the compartment. In another embodiment, each storage compartment is located between the central hub portion 126 and the distal end 110 or 112 of the shoulder support that the particular storage compartment is integral to.

The at least one sidewall may comprise one curved sidewall, multiple planar sidewalls joined to one another (such as a “box” comprising four planar sidewalls joined at each of two of their edges by right angles and a bottom sidewall joined to the other four sidewalls at its edges) or a combination of curved and planar sidewalls that collectively form a compartment with an opening that can be selectively covered by a lid. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom perspective view that clearly shows one embodiment of sidewalls 150 that define the compartments found in each shoulder support.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid 136 and 138 is hingedly connected to at least one of the sidewalls defining the compartment such that it may be opened or closed by selective rotation about the hinged connection. In another preferred embodiment, the lid closes to form a compression fit, or “snap fit,” such that contents of the compartment are contained while the lid is closed, but are accessible when a practitioner manually releases the compression fit by pulling on a tab or by pulling or pressing on some other manual release mechanism.

The storage compartments in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be used to store loose fashion accessory items, such as rings, tie clips, decorative pins, collar stays, and the like. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is particularly useful as a travel hanger for the busy professional who needs easy, efficient access to a pre-planned outfit of clothing and fashion accessories.

The embodiment of the hanger shown in FIG. 1 also comprises a crossbar 140 which connects the shoulder supports 106 and 108. Crossbar 140 is intended as a hanging structure for pants, ties, or other clothing items that are not easily hung on the shoulder supports 106 and 108. The crossbar 140 may be molded as one piece with the shoulder supports and central hub portion, or it may be a separate detachable piece. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a crossbar that attaches to each shoulder support through a grooved compression fit at opposite ends of the crossbar.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view and FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

Another embodiment of the hanger of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the hanger 200 comprises a central hub portion 226, and shoulder supports 206 and 208, the distal ends of which (212 and 210, respectively) extend in opposite directions from the central hub portion 226. The hanger comprises bar hook 202 extending upward from bar hook base 204, which is attached to the central hub portion 226. This embodiment of the hanger also includes the necklace hooks 214 and 216, and the jewelry display tab 218 comprising perforations or holes 220, 222 and 224. These features can comprise any or all of the descriptors ascribed to them above regarding the first embodiment.

The main difference between the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 is that the embodiment in FIG. 5 has omitted the storage compartments from the shoulder supports 206 and 208, and the crossbar. This embodiment is simpler and less expensive to manufacture, yet still provides a high degree of functionality to the busy professional who wishes to organize an entire outfit of clothing on the inventive hanger. In this sense, the storage compartments and crossbar are optional, but may be provided for additional storage capacity.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict, respectively, front and rear elevation views of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

Again, all of the figures depict a clothing hanger having a plurality of apertures that can be used for various purposes, including storage of additional earrings, or other sundry items such as charms or motivational quotes in order to allow the user to personalize the clothing hanger as desired. Additionally, the clothing hanger of the present invention can be used to organize specific outfits of clothing. A specific outfit would include clothing accessories, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, finger rings, headbands, wristbands, scrunchies, other hair accessories, bangles, etc., that are intended to be worn with the specific articles of clothing (not shown in the Figures for clarity) stored on the hanger, such as shirts, pants, blouses, etc. Therefore, the clothing hanger of the present invention has several useful purposes.

First, the clothing hanger of the present invention could be used in a retail setting to allow a retailer to quickly and easily display a complete clothing outfit package for purchase by a consumer. The invention could thereby increase sales by making the entire outfit purchase an easier proposition than possible with prior art clothing hangers.

Second, the clothing hanger of the present invention could be used by consumers at their home or while traveling to organize specific outfits to be worn at a future time. Again, each hanger would allow the consumer to store one complete outfit all together on the same clothing hanger, including all clothing accessories intended to be worn with the outfit. The hanger would be useful in the home by allowing the user to more easily and quickly decide on what to wear that day. It would also be beneficial as a travel accessory when used as part of a garment bag.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A clothing hanger comprising: a central hub portion; a bar hook extending from the central hub portion, wherein the bar hook defines a support cavity oriented in a first direction; a first shoulder support member extending from the central hub portion in a second direction; a second shoulder support member extending from the central hub portion in a third direction, wherein the second and third directions are opposite one another; a jewelry display tab extending from the central hub portion opposite the bar hook, wherein the jewelry display tab comprises two perforations, wherein each perforation comprises a first diameter; two necklace hooks, wherein one necklace hook extends from the first shoulder support and another necklace hook extends from the second shoulder support, wherein each necklace hook defines a support cavity oriented in a fourth direction, wherein the first direction and fourth direction are opposite one another; and at least two hooks extending from a bottom end of the clothing hanger accessory, wherein the at least two hooks define a plane that is approximately parallel with the front face and the back face.
 2. The clothing hanger of claim 1 wherein the jewelry display tab further comprises two additional perforations, wherein each additional perforation comprises a second diameter which is different than the first diameter.
 3. The clothing hanger of claim 1 wherein the first shoulder support member comprises an integral first storage compartment, wherein the first storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and close the first storage compartment.
 4. The clothing hanger of claim 3 wherein the second shoulder support member comprises an integral second storage compartment, wherein the second storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and close the second storage compartment.
 5. The clothing hanger of claim 1 further comprising a crossbar connecting the first shoulder support member and the second shoulder support member.
 6. The clothing hanger of claim 1 further comprising a crossbar extending between distal ends of the first shoulder support member and the second shoulder support member. The clothing hanger of claim 6 wherein the crossbar is detachable.
 8. The clothing hanger of claim 3 wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the first shoulder support member.
 9. The clothing hanger of claim 8 wherein the lid engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit.
 10. The clothing hanger of claim 4 wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the second shoulder support member.
 11. The clothing hanger of claim 10 wherein the lid engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit. 